Chapter 70
Chapter 70
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: Great King Namsaeng
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If General Ango had known what Kim Yu-sin would accomplish later in life, he never would have offered such praise.
Feeling a sudden wave of exhaustion, I blinked and spoke up.
"For now, tend to the wounded and gather the spoils of war."
"Understood. I thought your plan was too risky, but I never imagined it would work out this perfectly."
"It's thanks to how seamlessly our troops and retainers moved as one."
General Ango let out a hearty laugh at my response.
"You can drop the humility now. It's been ages since we claimed a victory this overwhelming."
General Ango gazed out at the shoreline strewn with corpses and weapons, then added,
"Your name will echo far and wide now—not just in Goguryeo, but in Silla as well."
The spoils were staggering. We'd killed eight hundred and taken seventeen hundred prisoners. That was half their entire force. Factoring in the wounded who'd retreated, we'd inflicted casualties on more than half—dead, captured, or injured.
Especially notable was the beheading of Kim Seo-hyeon, the Nangdang Chief, along with the heads of the Bogi Dangju. We'd missed capturing the Dalholju lord, but Kim Seo-hyeon's head more than made up for it. That's why everyone grumbled when I offered to return the bodies. Go Jeong-ui even suggested using the handover as an excuse to kill Kim Yu-sin too.
"Why's a kid like you so ruthless?"
"It's not about ruthlessness—it's about nipping threats in the bud. Kim Seo-hyeon was formidable, but Kim Yu-sin is no less."
"How do you know?"
In the modern era, anyone could look up Kim Yu-sin's exploits. But at this point in 634, aside from the Nabiseong battle, he wasn't a standout figure yet. Go Jeong-ui answered my question.
"He turned the tide at Nabiseong single-handedly, despite the odds. Like a needle in a pocket—sharp and impossible to ignore."
Go Jeong-ui's instincts were spot on. He'd leverage Tang Dynasty might to play a key role in toppling Baekje and Goguryeo, but that was still far off.
"I get your concern, but I didn't want to go that far."
"Why hand over the body of an enemy general we fought so hard to kill? Without proof, the Great King or Chief of Central Administration might accuse us of foul play."
"They'd find excuses to pick a fight regardless."
I turned my gaze to the three generals. While General Ango held the line despite his arm injury, Niha Fortress had opened its east gate for a surprise attack. Fortunately, General On Sa-mun had anticipated it and repelled them with archers.
Some fifty enemies lay dead, twenty more captured. Including the wounded who'd fled, about a hundred had been killed, injured, or taken. The smooth progress made my legs suddenly buckle.
Nearly a thousand dead in a single day.
But the others were too busy reveling in victory. With nearly two thousand prisoners, who wouldn't celebrate? Still, I had something to check.
"Ita-in!"
"Yes, sir."
"Pull out everyone from Nangdang among the prisoners and separate them."
"For interrogation?"
"I'm curious how they timed their arrival so perfectly."
"Right away."
"Bring them to the Yeon Clan Cannons."
As Ita-in headed out of the command tent, On Sa-mun asked,
"What about Niha Fortress? After today's fight, it won't fall easily."
"We can't let victory slip away now. I'll show you a plan tomorrow."
"I'm looking forward to it. Today's win is thanks to you."
"No—it's thanks to you three. My gratitude."
"Humble to the end. You're the Yeon clan's greatest blessing."
With that, I stepped out of the tent. Night was falling, and torches flickered everywhere. On one side of camp, medics tended the wounded. Without painkillers or anesthetics, it was primitive by my standards—no real treatment at all. At least we could sterilize: I ordered surgical tools and bandages seared over flames or boiled in hot water. Victory hadn't come cheap; we had our share of casualties too.
Soldiers spotted me and gathered round, eyes shining like fans mobbing an idol. I clapped shoulders, shook hands. They were moved to tears. Before I knew it, I was giving an impromptu speech.
"My soldiers! My brothers! This victory belongs to you all. Every man who fought today is my brother. We'll seize Niha Fortress and return home. Fight with me to the end!"
The troops roared in response. Leaving their cheers behind, I headed to the Yeon Clan Cannons. Now numbering eight, they alternated firing blazing pots. Ham-a approached as I watched.
"Congratulations on the victory, Master."
"Thanks to you. Running low on pots or Goguryeo Fire?"
"Consumption's higher than expected. Pots are nearly gone; we're using substitutes. Goguryeo Fire's been heavy too."
"Soak stones in it and fire those. We'll force the gates open by the day after tomorrow at latest."
"Understood."
As I spoke with Ham-a, Ita-in arrived dragging dozens of prisoners. He forced them to kneel before me.
"These the Nangdang ones?"
"So they claim."
I eyed each one before speaking.
"Tomorrow at dawn, go to the gates and shout that you were defeated today, that Nangdang Chief Kim Seo-hyeon fell to my hand."
The prisoners didn't react. I'd half-expected that, so I let the silence hang like a threat.
"Refuse, and I'll behead half of you, toss the heads over the walls—with a wooden tally noting Nangdang's defeat. Still refuse? The rest burn alive inside pots lobbed into the fortress."
Right on cue, a Yeon Clan Cannon launched a flaming pot. Trailing fire, it arced toward Niha. The prisoners' faces hardened as they watched. Ita-in chimed in.
"Shall we make an example of one or two right here?"
"We'll wait till tomorrow. Take them away."
Ita-in barked orders, hauling the trembling prisoners—who stole fearful glances at the cannons—to their feet. With that wrapped up, I let out a sigh.
"What a day."
And the day history truly began to shift. I'd taken the head of Kim Yu-sin’s father, Kim Seo-hyeon. I was dying to know how this would ripple through time. Stretching, I turned back.
The next morning, Ita-in led the prisoners to Niha's west gate bright and early. After a night of deliberation, they clearly wanted to live—they did as ordered.
"Nangdang is defeated! Chief Kim Seo-hyeon is dead! Open the gates and surrender!"
Pil-jip, defending the fortress, bellowed back in disbelief.
"You dogs! Think I can't see through your lies? Get lost!"
But from Niha, yesterday's battlefield was in plain view. They'd seen the outcome with their own eyes. Watching from afar, I called for Gi Do-ryang.
"Can you hit the Niha lord on the gate tower?"
After studying the tower, Gi Do-ryang replied,
"Tough from down here. Too far for a flat shot; it'd arc high, giving him time to duck behind a shield or pillar."
He nailed the issue: arcing arrows take time.
"Other ideas?"
Gi Do-ryang grimaced.
"Dishonorable, but if we use those prisoners' position, we could nail him direct."
"Still not close range."
"Take a Yeon Clan crossbow. Six of us firing together should do it."
"You plus five?"
"Yes."
"Disguise as prisoners, lurk at the rear with the crossbow."
"I'll drop the Niha lord for you."
"Good luck. Can't afford to lose good men in a won fight."
"Even in triumph, you cherish your soldiers' lives above all. Truly remarkable, Master."
"No need for needless deaths."
Gi Do-ryang bowed and left. I summoned a messenger to recall Ita-in and the prisoners. I called Ita-in over first, anticipating any gripes.
"Feed the prisoners if they're shouting surrender. And..."
I hinted at slipping in Gi Do-ryang and his men. Ita-in's eyes lit up.
"Brilliant plan. They saw the defeat yesterday. Kill the lord, and their spirit breaks."
"It's in your hands—make it count."
Ita-in beamed, vowing to deliver. Then Geom Mojam rode up. I knew exactly why and asked first.
"The bodies?"
"Loaded on carts, secured."
"Let's go."
Geom Mojam pointed toward the carts. Mounting up, we arrived to find retainers bowing in unison. The corpses lay on horse-drawn carts, shrouded in cloth. With Geom Mojam leading, the carts rattled forward.
The shoreline below Muljae Ridge—where we'd faced Kim Yu-sin yesterday—was cleared of bodies and gear. Kim Yu-sin rode with a young retainer, clad in yesterday's blue armor. Spotting us, he unbelted his sword and dropped it. No fight in him, so I raised empty hands in kind. At speaking distance, I halted. Geom Mojam subtly blocked the way as Kim Yu-sin asked,
"My father's body?"
I pointed to the cart instead of answering. His retainer dismounted, approached, and lifted the shroud slightly. He looked back at Kim Yu-sin.
"It's the General."
Kim Yu-sin nodded gravely. At my signal, a retainer handed over the horse's reins. Kim Yu-sin, now on foot, took the cart. He passed his own horse's reins to his retainer, who approached me.
"What's this?"
"A gesture of sincerity."
I started to refuse, but his eyes changed my mind. I accepted.
"War means blades clash, and men fall wounded or dead. Your father went down fighting honorably to the last."
"Defeat stings, but thank you for returning his body with respect. Should we meet on the field again, I'll spare your life once."